Summer school project caters for community needs
St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy in Stoke held a summer school for students this summer, mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over 450 students took part, with most students coming from Years 5 and 6 of the feeder schools, and Year 7 and 8 in the school.
St Margaret Ward made sure they had opportunities to develop their confidence and social skills after the disruption of the last 18 months along with learning opportunities, a healthy nutritious meal every day and lots of fun!
Rebecca Munden, the leader with responsibility for extended school, who deserves all the credit for making it such a huge success, has outlined what was involved in the summer school.
A group of Year 7 students racing up the climbing wall
The Newman Catholic Collegiate Summer School has taken place throughout the summer holidays, with camps running in our Primary schools for students in Years 1 to 4, and a Transition Summer School at St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy for students in Years 5 to 8.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, our new cohort of Year 7 students may not have experienced the usual transition visits to Margaret Ward Catholic Academy and so the Summer School has provided students with a fantastic chance to meet new friends, to meet some of our staff and to familiarise themselves with the school building. Every child has the right to a quality education, and we truly believe that the Summer School has given our students the perfect springboard into the new Academic Year.
The St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy Summer School consisted of four, fun-filled weeks and was attended by over 450 students. Attendees were treated to a huge variety of activities, which included sports with The Port Vale Foundation, a climbing wall challenge, clay modelling with the Ceramics Biennial, bushcraft with The Wildlife Trust, musical theatre and visits from snakes, skunks and owls. A group of Year 5 students were even given the opportunity to build and drive their own race car!
Busy days meant hungry students, and so all students were given a full hot lunch each day. A year 6 student said “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see the school building and to meet the some of the staff. The activities have been fantastic, and I definitely feel less anxious about starting school in September”.
A Year 6 student identifies “safe spaces” in the local area
Throughout the past six months we have also been working closely with the Together for Childhood Team from the NSPCC in order to help to make our community safer for children. The Together for Childhood Team led weekly sessions during the Summer School to educate students on keeping themselves safe in the holidays using an interactive map of the local area.
A group of Year 10 students from St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy visited Stanley Head Outdoor Education Centre during the holidays where they developed their resilience and team building skills through various activities including canoeing, rock climbing and water rafting. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and were very grateful for the opportunity to meet with their friends in a safe, outdoor environment.
Thank you to the 65 staff from The Newman Catholic Collegiate who so enthusiastically devoted time out of their summer holiday to support each and every student in the Summer School.
We feel incredibly blessed to have worked in collaboration with The Hubb Foundation on this project. Their ongoing support for our most vulnerable students throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been phenomenal and we look forward to planning more transition sessions throughout the Academic Year.
A group of Year 5 students participating in an Art lesson with SMWCA Art Teacher, Miss Leese
A group of Year 6 students enjoy a table tennis session with Head of PE, Mr Pearson
Groups of Year 6 students meet and pet animals from the zoo